Rory joined Waverley Care in 2015 and is based in our Inverness office. Here he shares the challenges of working in the Highlands, his love of pizza and why he couldn’t live without his dog!

What inspired you to come and work for Waverley Care?

I was impressed by the organisation’s openness to new ideas. I’d previously worked in a role that was quite constrained. Here it’s very service user focused and I can provide more flexible support to meet people’s needs.

What does your role involve?

It’s really varied. I deliver testing for blood-borne viruses, provide outreach support to high-risk groups and individuals, and coordinate our free condoms scheme. I also deliver training around lots of different topics from HIV and Hepatitis C awareness to sex and relationships. This could be with anyone from school groups to health professionals.

What are the main challenges of providing support in the Highlands?

On a practical level, just getting around is difficult. The Highlands cover a larger area than Belgium and parts of it have snow for a few months of the year. Social isolation is also a real issue. Many of our service users experience stigma from family, friends, or even strangers, and the impact is often heightened in small rural communities.

I have a Chocolate Labrador called Coco who is 3 and beautiful. She’s so well behaved and I definitely couldn’t live without her. I’m always listening to music, and usually attempting to sing along, so something to listen to music on. Lastly, it would definitely have to be coffee!

What’s your favourite meal?

This is difficult because I’m a massive foodie! I would say pizza BUT it has to have a thin base!

Where’s your favourite place to visit on holiday?

There’s a beautiful fishing village called Fornells in the north of Menorca, I was fortunate enough to work close by in 2011 and it’s stunning! I really want to go to Assos in Kefalonia though, it looks tranquil and zen!

Who inspires you?

I don’t really have a person who inspires me. However people showing kindness to one another is really inspiring and heart-warming, and I find the seasons and nature quite inspiring too!

Many of our service users experience stigma from family, friends, or even strangers, and the impact is often heightened in small rural communities.